CHANNEL ISLANDS
GREAT WAR STUDY GROUP
ARMISTICE – 90th ANNIVERSARY
At the Going Down of the Sun…..!
JOURNAL 22
OCTOBER 2008
Please note that Copyright for any articles contained in this Journal rests with the Authors as shown. Please
contact them directly if you wish to use their material.
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Hello All
One advantage of being Editor is that I normally get to see the articles before
anyone else, and that sometimes includes the authors! I am pleased that, having
sought items that were appropriate to this particular Anniversary of the Armistice, Liz
Walton and Paul Ronayne, as ever, rose to the challenge with their unflagging
enthusiasm.
Taking Paul’s article, that looks at the first Armistice in Jersey in 1919, first, I was
very much reminded of the Armistice Day services at the Cenotaph in Jersey during
the late 40s and 50s, with the various flags being carried by the ex-service
organisations, not least the British Legion (before it became Royal) and their French
counterparts, the Association des Combattants Anciens. There were row upon row
of medals. For some of those years, I paraded with either the Sea Cadet Corps or
the College CCF, yet for the life of me I cannot remember where we formed up to
march on and then off and dismissed. Clearly, we went past the Town Hall where
the saluting stand was. Paul also reminded me that the signal gun would boom out
over the town on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, and
not having been on the Island at the time of the year since the 50s, I wonder if it still
does? And yet, the sad thing is that I did not really understand what it all stood for,
not least with regard to the Great War.
So, all the more power to the elbows of Peter Tabb and, new member, Howard
Baker in their efforts to coordinate an excellent programme of events throughout
Jersey. From The Trench at Samarés Manor through the series of events around the
other locations, it can only help reinforce the awareness of what many of our
grandparents experienced in those times. Having seen the centre-spread in the JEP
of 27th October depicting the trench, I can only say that it looked far more realistic
than I had ever imagined, and hopefully, the programme over the next fortnight will
improve the knowledge of today’s youngster to a level that exceeded mine at their
age. Perhaps, as Paul mentioned, our forebears just wanted to forget about the war,
which as we frequently hear quoted was “the war to end all wars”.
Although many may have seen Peter and Howard’s programme elsewhere, I have
included it below to ensure that everyone is equally aware.
Liz’ article looks at the events of a year previous to that recounted by Paul, and on
Guernsey. That there was a high degree of delight expressed by the French aviators
is not surprising! The hated Boche were to be cleared from all their sacred France
and the “lost” region of Alsace-Lorraine was recovered, restoring French pride that
had been sorely dented in 1871. That there was rejoicing among Islanders cannot
be doubted, and has Liz will point out, it could not be 100%. Although some of
Germany’s allies had already signed the truce, fighting on the Western Front would
continue up to the specified hour. Casualties incurred even a few hours before would
die days, weeks, months or even years afterwards, and for many at home the act of
Remembrance was already well established. And of course, there was disease and
illness to contend with and this was not confined to those who wore khaki uniforms.
Had not the Germans sought the Armistice, what would the outcome have been? It
was clear that the Allies were pressing them back on every sector of the Front, and
in fairness, they were offering a stout defence. Certainly, average casualties for the
British were higher for the “100 Days” when compared to Third Ypres or the Somme,
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while, it is very likely that German soil had not yet been reached at the ceasefire.
Yet, a recent article points out that among the 2½ million Germans still at the front,
wide-scale surrenders were taking place, often to one or two allied soldiers, and the
level of morale in the junior officers and NCOs had dropped alarmingly. It became
very fashionable in the years after the war for the Nazi party to claim that the army
had been “stabbed in the back”, whereas the reality was that the military High
Command were the first to recommend seeking an Armistice, and this in September
1918, when they recognised the increasing number of disciplinary problems coupled
with the declining morale.
Continuing allied pressure would still have achieved success, but would the criticism
that Haig received for Passchendaele have been similarly applied almost exactly a
year later. Granted that there were now tanks, the fundamental battlefield mobility of
the armies was largely unchanged from 1914. For the ordinary infantryman, the
march onto Berlin would have taken quite a while. It is something to think about.
This Journal also includes a number of contributions from Max Harrison. Along with
a number of photographs, he highlights a couple of interesting French locations
away from the beaten track of normal British pilgrimages to the Western Front. As
usual, there are the regular features.
As most know, about 8 weeks ago, it was mooted that this Journal might be used as
the base for a saleable magazine in the Islands at about this time to complement the
programme of events, and a number of articles that been previously written were to
be revised and used anew. I confess to being like the Grand Old Duke of York, if not
going up and down hill, at least pointing one way and then the other. However, it
was looking hard to get financial sponsorship, not least because of the credit crunch,
and whatever funding that could be obtained should be used towards the events in
Jersey. Accordingly, it was appropriate to switch off the change and continue in our
normal way. Apologies are offered for any confusion that I may have caused.
A by-product of the efforts aimed at commemorating the Armistice in Jersey has
been the fact that Ian Ronayne has had a small article on Jersey during the Great
War printed in a national magazine, namely the November issue of “History Today”,
which is priced at £4.20 and is widely available at newsagents. I think that that is the
first time any of us has managed that, and Ian is to be congratulated. The article
discusses the conflicting needs for Island manpower in relation to the food industry,
and particularly potato farming. Meanwhile, Liz will also be doing a short piece for
another magazine, “Britain At War”, this time on our website.
In conclusion of this slightly longer than usual introduction (yes, I know I don’t do
brevity!) I just want to return to the series of events that are being organised and/or
coordinated by Peter Tabb and Howard Baker. Regrettably, I cannot make it due to
getting myself inveigled into speaking in Coutances, but I do hope that those who
are able to, will attend as many of the events that are laid on as possible. In saying
that, I must also point out that His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey,
Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway is visiting a number of cemeteries throughout
the Island on 8th November, starting at Almorah, where Ian Ronayne will be in
attendance. I will list the detailed locations and timings later on, and would hope that
some members will go along to give Ian some support. Lastly, a reminder that Paul
Ronayne is organising dinner at the Old Court House at St Aubin’s Harbour the
same evening.
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This Issue’s Cover
Thanks goes to Max Harrison for
the evocative and excellent
photograph on the front of this
issue of the Journal, and which
was taken during a trip to the
Somme
area
during
the
summer. It somehow captures
the sentiments of the exhortation
that are taken from Laurence
Binyon’s poem - For The Fallen,
that are heard at Remembrance
Day services wherever they are
celebrated.
I have taken the liberty to include a couple more of his photographs in a similar vein.
Postscripts
Faces Remembered! – The Jersey Contingent (Journal 21)
In Faces Remembered, the last Journal featured a four men from the Jersey
Contingent whose gallantry resulted in awards such as the MM or the DCM, and
also that this gallantry was recognised by the Parish of St Helier who held receptions
and awarded them with watches and scrolls. A scrapbook was also maintained of
these and other men so recognised.
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The scrapbook’s discovery by Ian Ronayne and a former president of the Société
Jersiaise was the subject of an article in the Jersey Evening Post of 13th October,
and thanks to digitisation work by Gareth Syvret at the SJ, the book will be available
at the Museum Library, while Ian has received a copy of the material which will find
its way onto the website over the next few months.
The existence of the Group had again been referred to, along with our website, so
much so, that we have since been almost overwhelmed with queries regarding
family members who served throughout the Great War. Some new names have
been identified along with fascinating links such as Sergeant Frederick Farmer,
buried at Boulogne East being the son of a Victoria Cross winner from the First Boer
War. These queries have also seen a welcome number of new members coming
onto the scene.
Navigating Nord Pas De Calais (Journal 21)
I wrote that at Les Baraques, I was surprised to see a headstone for a 7 year old
Joseph Leng who drowned at Audruicq (and not Audricq as wrongly spelt in that
Journal) on 2nd October, 1919.
Why Audruicq, and what was there? Since posing that question, I have managed to
acquire an, as yet, limited understanding to answer. It would appear that the village,
like many in the Pas de Calais area was a link in the logistic chain that supported the
British Army in its role to prosecute the war against the Germans. Rations, fuel,
clothing, medical stores, and other material, everything necessary that kept the man
in the frontline equipped would be stored so that it could be shipped where it was
required. Audruicq was the location of a large depot for the storage of ammunition.
It appears that on 20th July, 1916 during a night attack, a lone German aircraft was
able to bomb the depot, and the equivalent of almost a week’s artillery shell
requirements for Rawlinson’s IV Army then exploded, and were set alight. It has to
be borne in mind of course that IV Army were, at that time, heavily engaged at the
Battle of the Somme! Very little information appears to have been released, and the
military censors were clearly hard at work in suppressing the news to prevent it
reaching German ears. The German aircraft was brought down, the crew were
captured and were thus in no position to report their success.
Apparently there were comparatively few casualties amongst the depot’s staff, with
only five deaths reported. However, a Major was duly recognised for extricating a
train from the depot that was fully loaded. A published account describes a pilot
flying across the Channel seeing what looked like a large thundercloud extending
from Audruicq to Cap Gris Nez, while another from a nurse visiting the aftermath
stated that the area was heavily cratered, so much so that the village could have
fitted into those craters quite comfortably, while unexploded large calibre shells were
lying wherever that they had been thrown by the explosion, and in many cases they
were hot to the touch! It seems though the depot had been rebuilt by September
and resumed functioning as before.
So, may be there is new light on young Joseph’s tragic end, and if his life ended in a
water-filled crater, his death indirectly became the sixth death that resulted from that
bombing raid more than three years after its successful outcome.
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Guernsey’s Armistice Celebrations
By Liz Walton
The Armistice that ended the main hostilities of the Great War was signed on
Monday, 11th November, 1918. The Daily Mirror of the following day carries the
headlines “World War over - Foch's stern armistice signed. Allied occupation of
Rhineland - garrisons at Mainz, Coblenz and Cologne.” It goes on to state that:
“History has no more glorious day than yesterday, which saw the end of the Great
World War and the triumph of Great Britain and her Allies. Germany, beaten in the
field, menaced by certain invasion and overwhelmed by internal revolution,
capitulated to the Allies and accepted what will probably be the sternest terms of all
time”.
A glance at the Guernsey newspapers of the time shows that the Armistice was
celebrated on the island at many different levels. The Weekly Press of Saturday, 16th
November, 1918 published the King’s Message to all ships and naval bases at home
and abroad on its front page, plus a full account of the terms of the Armistice. There
was also a description of the Official Service of Thanksgiving of the Island held at
the Town Church on Thursday, 14th November, 1918, which stated that:
“Every department of our island life was represented, and leading islanders were
there in such numbers that mention of all notabilities is impossible”.
However they do list the Lieutenant Governor Sir Lancelot E Kiggell, KCB, KCVO,
the Government Secretary Colonel John MacCartney CB, the Bailiff, Sir Edward
Chepmell Ozanne, and various Jurats and officials of the Royal Court. The church
was draped with various flags for this special service, including the Union Flag, the
Tricolor, and the White Ensign, the clergy represented all of the main denominations
(something that was described as “an unique occasion”) and the choirs of the Town
Church and St Barnabas were present. The retiring collection was in aid of the Red
Cross.
The report also notes that “Commander Jacques Flandrin represented our gallant
confreres”. Ensigne de Vaisseau Flandrin, who was commander of the Aviation
Maritime Française seaplane base at the Model Yacht Pond, had another mention in
the same newspaper in a less illustrious capacity - he was fined £1 for riding his
motocyclette in Smith Street, “to the public danger, in contravention of the
Ordinance.” Also according to the Star, in less formal celebrations of the day, he and
the other aviators:
“…linked arms and danced with British soldiers, sang the “Marseillaise” and their
band, made up of bugles, flutes, and also saucepans and kettles, gave additional life
to the evening’s festivities”.
Meanwhile in Trinity Square:
“…large numbers of French aviators made the open space their ballroom. With
some improvised instruments and the aid of coloured lights and flares dancing to the
accompaniment of songs was vigorously indulged in.”
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They were described as being “in high spirits” and demonstrating “abandon and joie
de vivre”, a far cry from the formal official celebrations described above!
The Celebratory Dinner for the French Aviators before they left the island soon after the
Armistice
Other the informal celebrations took place around the island. The Weekly Press
reported that:
“The church bells rang merry chimes, and as if wakened to life the masts of shipping
in St Peter Port became animated with stream lines of fluttering pennants, while
during the afternoon aviators were cheered as they flew over the town streets.”
The mailboats came in flying strings of bunting, and houses were decorated with
flags and coloured lights. The papers also describe what they call the spirit of
healthy “mafficking”, whereby:
“…parties of juveniles diverting their energies from the collection of coal, resolved
themselves into unofficial “glee” companies, whose “scratch” programmes of
incidental music in no way detracted from the enjoyment of their audience.”
There was also a mock hanging of the Kaiser on the Town Quay! In the evening
thousand of people thronged the streets of St Peter Port, where hastily improvised
bands played a variety of types of music.
There were few celebrations in the country parishes, as most people had been given
a half day or a day off to go into town to see what was going on there. However at
Les Vauxbelets in St Andrew’s, French students at the college decorated the
building with flags and banners and paraded outside singing the Marseillaise. In St
Sampson’s little groups of youths patrolled the neighbourhoods with improvised flags
and banners, donkey carts, prams and even dogs “blazoned forth in gorgeous
impedimenta” and the trams set off festooned with flags and bunting and were pelted
with confetti and “received with acclamation” along the route into town. Works and
ship’s sirens sounded and the dockers arranged an unofficial half day’s holiday
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which was described as a “Joy Strike”. They were quickly joined by their brethren at
the Town Harbour. Even the “ruined roof of the electric company bore British
colours”, and piles of vraic along the front were topped with flags!
As soon as the Armistice was signed things began to change. The same papers that
carried news of the celebrations noted that:
“Ladies wishing to travel to England could now have their passports endorsed
without restriction”.
In addition, visas were no longer necessary for travel between the islands and the
UK though they were for any further afield. An order came through from London
stating that no more packages should be sent to prisoners of war, some of whom
began returning within a few days.
Some RGLI men were on leave, as
Latimer Le Poidevin noted: “…
arrived in Guernsey the following
morning on the 3rd of November,
1918. While I was on leave, the
Armistice was signed, this being on
the 11th November. 1918, this giving
a much better leave as I was leaving
the Battalion the orders were that the
Battalion was leaving the next day
from Ecuires for a month’s training.
That meant for the firing line.”
The Armistice apparently came just in time to save the Battalion from further trauma.
However Latimer soon had to rejoin his Unit and return to France, as a final peace
had not yet been declared and there were still tasks to be done such as clearing the
battlefields and burying or reburying the dead.
Armistice Day was a time for mixed feelings especially as many men and women
were still away with their units, or in hospital or prisoner of war camps. The “In
Memoriam” columns show that it wasn’t all celebrations. It was barely a year since
the Battle of Cambrai, and just over 6 months since the RGLI had been decimated at
Le Doulieu. Confirmations were still coming through of the deaths of men listed as
missing in April, 1918. The last local man to be killed in action before the Armistice
would appear to be 695 Cpl John Gruchy of the 6th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers,
who died on 8th November, 1918 and is buried at Pont sur Sambre Communal
Cemetery in France.
On that same day a German delegation met with Allied Supreme Commander
Ferdinand Foch, who led the military negotiations, to discuss the terms of the
Armistice. Two days later, T4/125415 Driver George Dodd of the Army Service
Corps, attached to the Labour Corps, died and was buried in Grevillers British
Cemetery in Pas de Calais in Northern France. He was a 39 year old married man
with a family. Three local men serving as Sappers with the 245 Army (Guernsey)
Troops Company, Royal Engineers, died together of carbon monoxide poisoning, 8
days after the Armistice was signed, when their families must have thought that they
were safe. They were:
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•
•
•
324584 Sapper John William Rihoy
324585 Sapper George Robert
324516 Sapper John Oliver Duquemin.
Subsequently, a Court of Enquiry held at the Palais de Justice at Courtrai
established that their death was accidental. The three men are buried in Berchem
(Kluisbergen) Communal Cemetery in Belgium.
The Spanish Flu epidemic also coincided with the Armistice. Ada Le Poidevin who
was serving in France with the Salvation Army with the BEF contracted it while on
duty and spent Armistice Day in hospital at Chateau Meurice in Wimereux, near
Boulogne. The epidemic took the lives of many local people especially those
weakened by deprivation in prisoner of war camps.
Figures from the States Medical Officer of Health in Guernsey indicate that 133 local
men and women died of it on the island. Places of amusement were closed, public
meetings were banned and the people were advised to avoid enclosed or crowded
places. Some men who had fought and survived now had to deal with the loss of
family members at home. There were some particularly tragic cases. 1464 Pte
Pierre Falla Duquemin had returned to the island, having been invalided out of the
army in April, 1918 with serious leg wounds. His wife, whom he had recently
married, died of Spanish Flu after an illness lasting only a few days. There was also
6651 Sgt AAE Williams of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment who died in
England on 9th November, 1918. Hs wife travelled over for the funeral, but on her
way back to Guernsey she also died of Spanish Flu.
M/26664 MSM Frederick Quinain of the Army Service Corps Motor Transport
Section who came from Alderney died from complications following influenza whilst
on leave in England on 10th November, 1918. 7661 Pte Helier Carré, RGLI, who
came from Sark, died of double pneumonia at Fort George at the age of 18 only two
days after the Armistice was signed.
Suffering and death caused by the war did not end with
the Armistice. Officially, the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission commemorates those who died as a result of
the war in a period ending on 31st August, 1921.
However Lieutenant Frank de Mouilpied Lainé, MC of the
RGLI would die the from effects of wounds received on
13th April, 1918 at the battle of Neuf-Berquin on 7th
October, 1922 showing that for many families the effects
of the war would continue for many years after the
Armistice. The remnants of the RGLI did not return to the
island until 21st May, 1919. There remained in France and
Flanders 327 graves of men from the unit who died as a
result of the war.
Many more islanders who fought on land, sea or in the air
with a wide range of units from many countries are buried
in places as far afield as Murmansk, Iraq (where 19 local
men are commemorated) and Turkey as well as in France,
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Belgium, the UK and the islands. Peace was eventually declared in July 1919, when
the Treaty of Versailles was finally signed.
One Year On In Jersey - 11th November, 1919
By Paul Ronayne
As we are too aware, this year sees the 90th Anniversary of the signing of the
Armistice which brought about the end of the Great War, and I thought it would be
interesting and appropriate to write an article for the Journal about how Jersey had
marked the first anniversary all those years ago in 1919.So I took a trip to our local
library and researched the papers of the day to see how it had been reported and
how the Island had marked this very important day.
The first anniversary of the signing of the Armistice took place on Tuesday, 11th
November, 1919. The people of the Island had been pre-warned of events to mark
this remarkable day by articles posted in the local newspapers the day before. The
papers reported that there was to be a complete suspension of all work and
activities, and complete stillness for a period of two minutes at 11 a.m. throughout
the British Empire.
The two local papers surprisingly did not give the day a great deal of print space,
with just a small article in each paper the day before. On the day itself, I was
surprised to find once again the articles covering the actual day’s event were of a
modest size. They were detailed but by no means extravagant, possibly a refection
on how the people felt at this still very painful time.
A copy of a telegram sent to the Secretary of State from King George V was then
forwarded on to the Editor of the Morning News and the King’s words were then
printed in the newspaper in full. (Although it is not printed in the other newspaper of
the day, the Evening Post, I presume a copy would also have been sent to their
editor).
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It begins “To All My People” and continues:
“Tuesday next, November 11th, is the first anniversary of the Armistice which stayed
the world-wide carnage of the four preceding years and marked the Victory of Right
and Freedom. I believe that my people in every part of the Empire fervently wish to
perpetuate the Memory of that great deliverance and of those who laid down their
lives to achieve it. To afford an opportunity for the universal expression of this feeling
it is my desire and hope that at the hour when the Armistice came into force, the
eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, there may be for the brief
space of two minutes a complete suspension of all our normal activities. During that
time, except in the rare cases where this may be impracticable, all work, all sound
and all locomotion should cease so that in the perfect stillness the thoughts of
everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead. No
elaborate organisation appears to be necessary. At the given signal, which can
easily be arranged to suit the circumstances of each locality, I believe that we shall
gladly interrupt our business and pleasure whatever it may be, and unite in this
simple service of silence and remembrance.”
George R.I.
Ninety years on and it’s good to know that we still follow the King’s simple yet
affective instructions that he gave to his people on how best to remember the dead
and the suffering of the Great War.
At 10.45 a.m. on the morning of the 11th November, 1919, the bells of the parish and
other churches began to ring and then ceased immediately before the hour struck. In
the Anglican Churches a short service was held, followed by a few moments silent
prayer. At a few minutes before 11 a.m., people gathered at St Thomas’s RC Church
and at the appointed hour the Rev. Father Guillent recited prayers for the Allies who
had fallen during the War. It was reported the service had been simple, had lasted
only a few minutes but had been “deeply impressive.”
At 11 a.m., a gun was fired at Fort Regent high above St Helier to signal the start of
the two minutes silence. This gun was usually fired every day at noon but for the 11th
November, 1919, its firing had been brought forward one hour to commence the
remembrance. Unfortunately with the wind being in the wrong direction the gun was
not heard at any great distance and in some areas of town it was not heard at all.
The reports suggest that the great majority of people stood still and silent for the two
minutes, some removing their headgear, though it was noticed that some people did
not stop and went about their business as usual, although the majority of shops and
businesses did observe the two minutes silence. It was reported that one lady in
Broad Street did not appear to realise what was happening and kept on with her
journey with the “reigning silence only making her steps sound all the more”.
At the harbours and the Weighbridge everything was brought to a standstill with all
the carts with coal and vraic stopping, whilst all loading and unloading off ships was
suspended, everyone practically standing still. The paper goes on to say “the dead
silence for the time was deeply impressive”. The doors of the local Post Office were
also closed during the allotted time. Proceedings at the Police Court were
suspended and the issuing of tickets stopped at the railway terminal.
At the Signal Post on top of Fort Regent the Union Jack and the Jersey Flag were
flown all day long, only being lowered to half-mast during the two minutes silence “as
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a tribute of respect to the dead”, while the Observatory at Maison St Louis the
French tricolour was flown.
In the Parade many wreaths were placed at the foot of the temporary Cenotaph, with
as the newspaper reported:
“…..a large handsome wreath being hung in the front of the memorial bearing the
inscription:
‘In everlasting memory of our fallen comrades from the staff of Orviss Limited’”.
The troops paraded at both Fort Regent and St Peter’s Barracks with them all
standing to attention during the two minutes silence.
After reading the articles I realize that for the people of Jersey this was not a
celebration of a war’s end the previous year but a sombre, heartfelt remembrance of
the dead, an acknowledgement of the legions of men who had been left physically
disabled, as well as to all the men and women who had been physiology damaged
by the Great War. I sense a feeling amongst the people that they wanted to
remember with humility but not dwell on the War and its painful effects for too long.
Maybe the people, including all the ex-soldiers, sailors and airmen just wanted to
forget about the war and look to the future, it’s an understandable feeling.
It’s interesting to note how our modern day Remembrance Day closely follows the
events of that first Remembrance Day eighty-nine years ago. It is to be hoped that
the dead of the two world wars and other conflicts are remembered with the same
level of dignity in the coming years to which has been shown during the past eightynine years.
Jersey and the Armistice’s 90th Anniversary
The following list is the programme of events being coordinated by Peter Tabb and
Howard Baker that will be taking place throughout the month of November. If you
are planning to attend any of them, do check up on the final details. There are other
events that will be under way and these are referred to later.
Saturday, 1st November, 2008
THE TRENCH
Samares Manor (La Blinerie Lane entrance)
Open to the public 10.00 am to 4.00 pm with guest presenters and guides.
Sunday, 2nd November, 2008
THE TRENCH
Samares Manor (La Blinerie Lane entrance)
Open to the public 10.00 am to 4.00 pm with guest presenters and guides and the
cast of the Jersey Green Room Club’s “The Accrington Pals” at 11.00 am. Free
Admission – Donations to the Poppy Appeal
Tuesday, 4th November, 2008
THE CHANNEL ISLANDS AND THE GREAT WAR I
Jersey Museum
1.15 pm. A Jersey Heritage Lunchtime Lecture by Doug Ford.
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Wednesday to Saturday, 5th to 8th November, 2008
THE ACCRINGTON PALS
Written by Peter Whelan
A powerful and evocative drama showing the effects of war and loss on a small
community. Performed by the Jersey Green Room Club, Arts Centre, Phillips St.
Thursday, 6th November, 2008
THURSDAY NIGHT IS MUSIC NIGHT
Georgetown Methodist Church
Tim Pollard presents a moving musical tribute to the men and women who served in
the Great War
Saturday, 8th November, 2008
THE FIRST WORLD WAR GAME
Public Library, Halkett Place
Showcased by the Privateers - 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Monday to Saturday, 10th to 15th November, 2008
THE GREAT WAR IN WORDS AND IMAGES
Public Library, Halkett Place
Exhibition of books, contemporary photographs, poetry and literature from the Great
War and links with Jersey. Talks and readings.
Monday, 10th November, 2008
GREAT WAR SONGS, POEMS & TALKS
Howard Davis Theatre, Victoria College
7.30 pm – Refreshments
Sing-a-Long with Stephanie Humphreys (Victoria College Music Dept)
Alastair Ross will read ‘The Hero’ by Siegfried Sassoon (1916) and Wilfred Owen’s
‘Dulce et Decorum Est ‘(1917)
Peter Tabb – A Q-Ship and a Jerseyman – a personal history;
Ian Ronayne – Jersey and the Great War;
Ned Malet de Carteret – Jerseymen and the war at sea 1914-1918
Tuesday, 11th November, 2008
ARMISTICE DAY
PEACE FLAGS
Fort Regent Signal Station
11.00 am. Flags hoists by signalmen from the Maritime Museum to spell out PEACE
POETRY READING
Public Library, Halkett Place
11.00 am - Poetry reading by Gareth Thomas and the playing of The Last Post
VICTORIA COLLEGE COMMEMORATION
Victoria College
11.00 am. CCF Guard of Honour at Sir Galahad WWI memorial
(Two minutes’ silence announced and concluded by firing a 25 pdr field gun)
The Last Post and planting of English Oak Tree and unveiling by HE the Lt
Governor, Lt General Andrew Ridgway, of granite memorial stone in front of main
building – “WE WILL REMEMBER THEM 11-11-11 1918-2008”
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ARMISTICE LUNCH
Highlands College Academy Restaurant
1.00 pm. featuring delicious variations on Great War rations. Bookings and enquiries
Tel: 608563
THE CHANNEL ISLANDS AND THE GREAT WAR II
Jersey Museum
1.15 pm. A Jersey Heritage Lunchtime Lecture by Doug Ford
VIN D’HONNEUR
Town Hall
6.30 pm. To commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the end of the Great War hosted
by the Connétable of St Helier.
Wednesday, 12th November, 2008
GREAT WAR IN SONG
Howard Davis Theatre, Victoria College
7.30 pm – Refreshments
Tessa Coleman, Sheila Harris and Mark Labey singing a medley of First World War
songs
At 8.30 pm a showing of “Oh, What a Lovely War” (1969) directed by Richard
Attenborough
Friday, 14th November, 2008
WORDS FROM THE GREAT WAR
Howard Davis Theatre, Victoria College
7.30 pm. Refreshments, followed by wartime monologues and poetry presented by
Alexandra Mackenzie of the English Dept and readings from ‘Journey’s End’ by R.C.
Sherriff presented by Emma O’Prey and the Drama Dept.
8.30 pm. Showing of “In Flanders Field”, the story of the John McRae’s Poem and
the Poppy
Saturday, 15th November, 2008
WEAPONS OF THE GREAT WAR
Crabbé Range, St Mary
10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Demonstrations of Great War and modern weapons of war by the Modern & Military
Arms Association Ltd and Victoria College CCF
Tuesday, 18th November, 2008
JERSEYMEN AND THE WAR AT SEA 1914-1918
Jersey Museum
1.15 pm. A Jersey Heritage Lunchtime Lecture by Ned Malet de Carteret
Tuesday, 25th November, 2008
THE COST OF THE GREAT WAR IN LIVES AND MONEY
Jersey Museum
1.15 pm
A Jersey Heritage Lunchtime Lecture by Peter Tabb
14
There will be no entry charge to these events, with the exception of the Jersey
Green Room Club’s production of “The Accrington Pals” at the Art Centre. However,
it is hoped that visitors to these events will make a donation to the Poppy Appeal.
Meanwhile, I received (amongst a long list of other addressees I should add) the
following from Pip Le Brocq, who is currently Chairman of the Board of Trustees for
the Victoria College Foundation (Peter Tabb will correct me if I’m wrong):
Dear Supporters,
Herewith a reminder of the events taking place next week with a few minor
modifications. Please display or pass on as seems most appropriate.
The TRENCH was an amazing experience for onlookers but especially so for those
young lads who re-lived some of the experiences of their grandfathers...many of
whom did not survive. Their hob-nailed march to the Cenotaph from the Town
Church added a truly authentic sound to that day, as did their uniforms, tin hats,
rifles and bayonets. THEY will not forget it.
I am particularly concerned with the events at Victoria College and hope you will do
all you can to publicise them, taking place in the Howard Davis Theatre on Monday
10th, Wednesday 12th and Friday 14th November. Staff, boys, parents and OVs have
all given much time and effort to their contributions. Complimentary refreshments are
being generously provided by the VCJ PTA.
We plan to have a static information display in the Howard Davis Theatre including
all the Jersey Evening Post pictures of The Trench in A3 format by kind sponsorship
of the Jersey Evening Post, posters and the history of the War by College Boys and
video footage of The Trench.
With kind regards
And many thanks for all your encouragement and support
Philip Le Brocq
In the introduction to this Journal, I had pointed out that His Excellency the
Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey, Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway is visiting a
number of cemeteries throughout the Island on 8th November, 2008. He is scheduled
be at the following cemeteries as listed below at the stated times:
•
•
•
Almorah at 10.00 a.m.
St Clement’s at 10.30 a.m.
Grouville La Croix at 11.10 a.m.
• St Martin’s at 11.40 a.m.
As Lieutenant-Governor, General Ridgway is involved in many activities, but as Ian
can point out, he has shown interest in our Group, not least in some of the corrective
work that we have been doing and hope to continue with the CWGC. Ian will be
meeting him, and it should be an opportunity to engage with some of the others who
have also shown us support including General Ridgway’s staff and Constable Simon
Crowcroft of St Helier.
15
That evening those Group members who can make it will be gathering for dinner at
the Old Court House at St Aubin’s Harbour. Those who wish to attend but have not
yet indicated so should contact Paul Ronayne ([email protected])
without delay.
Last but definitely not least, there is the Remembrance Service to be held at
the Cenotaph on Sunday 9th November, 2008.
IN THE FRONTLINE
By Peter Tabb
On Friday, 24th October, 2008, a contingent of cadets from Jersey’s Victoria College
Combined Cadet Force route marched to a rendezvous with history. Their
destination was an authentic replica of a Great War trench. Between 1914 and 1918
no fewer than 631 former members of Victoria College’s OTC (the forerunner of the
CCF) served in the Great War, of whom 127 were killed. These young men are
commemorated on Victoria College’s Sir Galahad memorial. The Victoria Cross was
awarded to former cadets Lieutenant WAM Bruce and Temporary Lieutenant (Acting
Captain) AMC McReady-Diarmid for acts of outstanding gallantry. Both awards were
posthumous (Editor: In Bruce’s case, the Victoria Cross was not gazetted until 1919
when accounts of his heroism at last became known with Allied prisoners of war
being freed).
For almost three days the cadets relived and
endured combat zone hardships that were
commonplace along the Western Front. They
gave up their watches, mobile telephones and
i-pods and donned authentic Great War
uniforms and armed themselves with Short
Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk.1 No.3 rifles and
bayonets. Their firepower was further
supplemented by a replica Vickers machine
gun built for the project by the engineering
students of Jersey’s Highlands College.
16
Under the command of Second Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Jon Hale, the ten
cadets’ gruelling experience included a night-time raid by enemy troops, a simulated
poison gas attack and sniper fire. While in the trench they also received a special
mail delivery, organised by Jersey Post. At the conclusion of the time spent ‘holding
this sector of the line’ the cadets went ‘over the top’ to the accompaniment of a
spectacular and realistic barrage. During their spell of trench duty, they existed on
the typical front line rations of 1918, namely bully beef, hard tack biscuits, sardines
and tea, made use of field latrines and were subjected to strict military discipline at
all times. Had it rained, their only shelter would have been sheets of corrugated iron.
The cadets’ ‘going over the top’ was featured on both local television stations and
also received lavish press coverage, and at the conclusion of 36 hours in the ‘front
line’, the cadets, still in their somewhat muddy uniforms, paraded at the official
launch of the Poppy Appeal at Jersey’s Cenotaph.
The trench had been created to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of the
Great War and to honour a community whose losses in terms of fighting men at the
Front were great in percentage terms than for any community in Britain. It is trench
complex, which covers an area of approximately 900 square yards has been
designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements laid down by the
Imperial General Staff in 1916. However,
the contractors Geomarine Ltd, who have
generously donated their time, plant,
personnel and expertise, not only had to
built a trench system that met the General
Staff’s requirements but also to address
the requirements of modern health and
safety regulations. The complex has been
situated in the grounds of historic
Samarés Manor in the parish of St
Clement which is itself overlooked by
crawl trenches from WWII that were
designed to give cover to the personnel of
a nearby Luftwaffe anti-aircraft battery. The trench will remain in being until midNovember after which the field in which it is situated will be returned to agriculture in
time for being planted with Jersey Royal new potatoes.
The trench was formally commissioned by Mrs Elizabeth Wiscombe, widow of the
late Royal British Legion stalwart Owen Wiscombe, at 4.00 pm on Friday, 24
October, and the start of the cadets’ occupation of the trench was accompanied by a
formal blessing by Martin Dryden, representing the Rector of St Clement’s Parish
Church which was concluded with the words of Field Marshal Lord Roberts VC, hero
of the Afghan and Boer Wars, which were inscribed in the “Active Service
Testament” given to every serving soldier from August 1914.
I think that of all the images associated with the Great War, the trench is the most
iconic, and although no such trench was ever actually sited in the Channel Islands,
the vast majority of the Islands’ fighting men who did not return home after the
Armistice died in the trenches of the Western Front.
The trench will be open to the public and school parties at selected times until midNovember.
17
Continuing with Coutart
By Barrie Bertram
Coutart de Butts Taylor’s life and his family’s circumstances continues, as you no
doubt suspect, to fascinate me, and a few months ago it prompted me to send an
article off to feature in the Connections’ column in Jersey’s Evening Post since it
now also appears on their website. A long shot I had thought, more in hope than
expectation that someone in one of the former dominions would be related to
Coutart and his wife Lilian, and would see the article. However, to my great
amazement, I quickly had a telephone call from the outskirts of St Helier, and a lady
related to the Taylor family through marriage!
To explain and possibly to recapitulate, we must first go back to Coutart’s parents,
Haydon Aldersey (b.1826, d. N/K) and Mary McCrea (b.1834, d.1890) Taylor who
had the following ten children:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Charlotte McCrea (b.1857, d.1938),
Lilian Aldersey (b.1858, d.1873),
Anna Katharine de Saumarez (b.1859, d.1947 unmarried, in Leicester),
Haydon D’Aubrey Pottenger (b.1860, d.1939),
Oswald Alban Aldersey (b.1862 d.1930),
Marion Louise (b.1864, d.1944),
Harriet Mary (b.1865, d.1953),
Frances Arabella Joyce (b.1866, d.1953),
Coutart de Butts (b.1869, d.1918),
Leonora Eliot (b.1870, d. 1950).
Leonora has already been mentioned as the likely relative at Coutart’s funeral in
Brighton, while the younger Haydon D’Aubrey was the Colonel who did much to
progress Lilian’s case through the corridors of the War Office. Charlotte comes into
focus, in that in 1883 she would marry a Commander RN in Malta, an Edwin William
Lloyd. It is to one of their grandsons that the lady who rang me had married! Very
much into family research, she had ‘lost’ sight of Coutart after the 1901 Census, and
the material that I had gleaned for the subsequent years came as a great surprise,
while at the same time, a boost to her own research. It is pure coincidence that she
now lives in Jersey, and had no idea of the Taylor links with the Island.
To summarise our subsequent exchanges, most of which I must attribute to her
research, it appears that Lilian Florence Blunden’s maiden surname was McEnnery,
and that she and Coutart married on 11th July, 1901 at St Brelade’s in Jersey, the
witnesses being Edwin De Saumarez Dobree and Julia Harriet Dobree. At the time
Lilian was aged 24 years and originally came from Dublin, her father James being
described as a gentleman. Coutart was a man of his “own means”, i.e. private
means. However, the Census on 31st March, 1901, shows that Lilian and Coutart
were both living in Bristol! Is it possible that they were at ‘young’ Haydon’s address,
as he was a Major at this time, with the Gloucestershire Regiment in South Africa?
Their three children were Jersey-born:
•
Lilian Mary Manderville, born 16th March, 1902 at St Brelade
18
• Terence D’Aubrey De Saumarez, born 8th June, 1903 at Havre des Pas
• Doreen Gladys Graham, born 15th May, 1905 at St Lawrence.
Unusually, Lilian Mary’s birth was not registered until 2nd July, 1902, while Doreen
Gladys was not registered until 31st August, 1905.
As we now know Terence (later preferring to use De Saumarez for a middle name
rather than D’Aubrey) left school at Windsor in 1920 and it seems that he became a
tea planter at the Rasagalla Estate at Balangoda in Ceylon, and appeared to have
made an unaccompanied number of trips back to the UK, namely:
•
•
•
•
14th August, 1925, staying at 13 Queen’s Gate Terrace, London W.
11th December, 1930, staying at 2 Glendower Place, Kensington, London
31st January, 1936, staying at Royal ? Hotel, Cromwell Road, London, W.
19th October, 1953, staying at 1A Victoria Grove, Kensington, London,W8.
Returning to Charlotte and Edwin Lloyd, in due course Edwin would retire from the
RN as a Commander, and go to work for Vickers at Newcastle before finally retiring
and buying a house in Weybridge which he would name ‘Monkmoor’ after an area of
Shrewsbury where he originated. As you will recall, Coutart’s eldest daughter, Lilian
Mary, was residing at ‘Monkmoor’ when her mother was busy nursing and formfilling. Clearly ‘young’ Haydon was not alone in rallying around to help Coutart’s
family, and seems to have continued long after the war, since he made small
bequests to Coutart’s daughters in his will of 1931.
What next? It seems from a search of the Births, Marriages and Deaths (BMD)
registers that a Terence De S Taylor died in Bodmin District in the fourth quarter of
1971, a Doreen GG Taylor died in Thanet in the third quarter of 1972, while a Lilian
MM Taylor also died in Thanet, in July 1993. In her will, Doreen left her estate to
Lilian unless Lilian preceded her, in which case, the estate would go to Terence.
This will, made in 1954, had Doreen and Lilian living at 1A Victoria Grove! One can
safely assume therefore that these are Coutart and Lilian’s offspring, and given the
nature of their circumstances, it can also be assumed that none of them married.
As to Lilian Florence, there is a reference in the BMD registers to a Lilian FG Taylor
dying in 1934 in Kensington aged 58. About the right age, and as we see above,
Terence stayed in Kensington when home from Ceylon, as did Lilian when she came
to London from her nursing duties. However, the initial ‘G’ was puzzling, yet, another
visit to Kew and Coutart’s file a few days ago, reminded me that Leonora, in a letter
to the WO had referred to Lilian as Lilian Graham Taylor!
I’d hoped to get more on Coutart’s military movements, particularly in Salonika with
6th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, but also with the 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in
France and Flanders. The 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles War Diary carries the basic
information as follows:
• Arrived from Ireland
18th February, 1916
• Appointed ‘A’ Company Commander
19th February, 1916
• Major Becher promoted T/Lt Col
23rd February, 1916
• In Hospital
31st March, 1916
• Evacuated
27th April, 1916
There is nothing regarding his “offence”, but I would not have expected it. What is
interesting though is the succession of men to hospital from illness, nine on 12th
April, twelve on 14th April, a further sixteen on 23rd April, there appeared a high
19
incidence and though I forgot to note the date, I saw 44 men admitted on one
occasion. Of course, officers were being admitted occasionally as well. Unfortunately
the War Diary for the 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles did not carry details of any
officer dispositions, so the ‘paper trail’ comes to naught there. However, it noted that
the Prince of Wales visited the Battalion on 20th July, 1916 when they were out of
the line at Poperinghe. That could possibly be something to investigate as a source
for photographs?
It appears that after he was wounded in 1917, he spent the period 5th August to 26th
September at the Middlesex War Hospital at Napsbury near St Albans. It is not clear
after that of what he did until 7th December, 1917 when he returned to France, but
clearly he must have convalesced and taken leave somewhere. The question,
though it may never be answered is where?
In following Coutart’s trail I have certainly strayed into family research from the
subject of the Great War, but in many respects it has been necessary to understand
the disruption caused to just one family through a man’s sense of patriotism, honour
and duty being slighted by accusations that may have had little relation to the
conduct of war. Lastly, I come back to the Silver Kettle, which is where I originally
came in, keeping its present owner informed of any new material as it has turned up.
Reference to Havre des Pas has prompted his memory in that he was renting
accommodation in Dicq Road in 1970 when he first came to work at the Airport in
Jersey. It seems that his late wife was given the kettle by the lady who owned the
house, and who was then in her 90s, with words like “I don’t have any further need
for it”. I wonder whether this is a new avenue for research, or just another cul-desac? Let me see!
With no direct descendants of Coutart de Butts and Lilian Florence Taylor surviving,
it is now likely that the Silver Kettle will find its way back to the Island and be
presented to the Museum by its owner, hopefully as part of the Militia collection.
Le P’tit Train de la Haute Somme
By Max Harrison
Located in the hamlet of Froissy, some 2 km from the village of Bray–sur–Somme,
there is a little gem of a museum and ride, based on the narrow gauge railway of the
Great War. The line of the “P’tit Train” was built by the British Army in1916 to provide
for the vital transport of men and materials to the front line. After the war it was used
in the reconstruction of the villages in the area and subsequently for the transport of
sugar beet. In 1971 it was acquired by the volunteer railway enthusiasts whose
association run it today. The museum is housed in a modern building and the
superbly presented exhibits represent the largest collection of narrow gauge steam
and diesel engines and wagons used by the different armies during the Great War.
The line runs from Froissy to Dompierre Becquincourt, through the lovely Somme
valley countryside and a return journey takes over an hour.
One or two words of warning though! I think they forgot to fit springs on the
carriages, so it’s pretty bumpy in places (ladies are recommended to wear a sports
bra!). A steam train only runs generally on Sundays (the rest of the time it’s a diesel
locomotive) and don’t be alarmed by the way it careers obliquely across un-guarded
public roads, presumably it’s been doing that since 1916!
20
Le P’tit Train de la Haute Somme – Some Views
Musee du Poilu
21
By Max Harrison
In the small south Burgundian town of
Cormatin (Editor: I had to check the
map for this place as I had never heard
of it), some 40 km. north west of
Macon, is a small and yet excellent
museum devoted mainly to trench art
created by the French Poilus “pendant
la Grande Guerre”. Housed on two
floors of a large refurbished farm barn
just outside the town, the ground floor
has been largely devoted to trench art
and documents, while the upper floor
houses a highly imaginative diorama
and small cinema. The building’s
exposed timbered roof is worth the
climb on its own! This museum must
surely display one of the largest
collections of trench art in France.
Unfortunately, the otherwise very
pleasant attendant would not let me
take photographs inside but the
accompanying ones will hopefully give
you a flavour. If you’re in the area, it’s
worth a visit.
22
A General View of the Musee Du Poilu
The Sheffield Pals
By Max Harrison
As a Sheffield boy “born and bred”, my interest in the First World War began with
stories of the heroic deeds of the “Sheffield Pals”. On a holiday this August, visiting
the battlefield sites of the Somme and Cambrai areas I took the opportunity of
checking out the Sheffield connection. The first site visited was the Sheffield
Memorial Park at Serre, which consists of a wood, evidence of trenches, a small
cemetery and brick bower. Further up the road is the Sheffield Pals Memorial in the
small hamlet of Puisieux, with a plaque giving details of the Pals contribution in the
Battle of the Somme in 1916. Together with the Serre Road Numbers 1, 2 and 3
Cemeteries, I’m afraid that’s all I could find, and I left feeling a little disappointed that
the great City of Sheffield could not have produced something a little more imposing
to remember the tremendous sacrifice by its sons – The Sheffield Pals.
The Plaque reads:
This monument commemorates those members of the 12th (Service) Battalion of the
York and Lancaster Regiment who fought in France during the First World War, and
particularly those who died on the first day of the battle of the Somme, 1st July, 1916.
It stands on land generously donated by the Municipal Council of Puisieux.
The Battalion was one of a number raised in response to an appeal from Lord
Kitchener, the British Secretary of State for War. To encourage young men to join
the army, volunteers were promised that those who joined together would serve
together. Battalions recruited in this way became known as “Pals Battalions”
On the 1st July, 1916, the Sheffield Pals were in the front line of troops in the assault.
They were at the very northernmost end of the attack and, as a result, the German
23
defenders to the north of them were able to add their fire to that of the soldiers
based in front of and in the village of Serre. Despite valiant efforts by the attacking
soldiers, the assault was a complete failure. The Battalion’s War Diary for that day,
recorded that:
“A great many casualties were caused by the enemy’s machine guns, in fact the
third and fourth waves suffered so heavily that by the time they had reached No
Man’s land they had lost half their strength…”
The failure of the attack was undoubtedly due to the wire not being sufficiently cut.
Had this been cut, the enemy’s machine guns could have been dealt with by the
men who managed to reach the front line. As it was they could not be reached and
there was no means of stopping their fire. Bombers attempted to silence them with
grenades, but could not reach them – consequently succeeding waves were wiped
out and did not arrive at the German wire in any strength.
The Battalion lost a total of 248 officers and men killed in one day with 247 badly
wounded. When the news reached the City of Sheffield there was much heartbreak.
The Commander of the Brigade said:
“I have never seen a finer display of individual and collective bravery than the
advance of that Brigade. I never saw a man waiver from that line prescribed for him.
I can safely pay a tribute also to the bravery of enemy, whom I saw standing in their
trenches to fire their rifles in a storm of fire.”
In 1928 the City of Sheffield was given a plot of land by the patriotic landowner,
which included some of the trenches along the line of the copses known as Mathew,
Mark ,Luke and John, from which the attack on Serre was launched on 1st July,
1916.
That plot lies 1000m or so to the northwest of this monument. It can be reached
along the track signposted to “Sheffield Memorial Park”, a short distance along this
road (D919) in the direction of Mailly Maillet. Please visit and pay your respects to
those who volunteered together and died together during the long and bloody battle
of the Somme.
24
Sheffield Memorial Park – Surviving Trench Lines
Louverval Memorial
25
In visiting sites where the RGLI fought
during the Battle of Cambrai, Max
Harrison clearly could not resist
stopping at the imposing Louverval
Memorial. Unsurprisingly, most of the
97 Islanders that are commemorated
on the Memorial were men from the
RGLI. The inscription on the front of the
memorial reads:
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND THE EVERLASTING MEMORY
OF
7048 OFICERS AND MEN
OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
WHO FELL
AT THE BATTLE OF CAMBRAI
20 NOV – 3 DEC 1917
BUT HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE
THEIR NAMES ARE HERE
RECORDED
However, in revisiting Cambrai a year on from the feature last year, Max has been
able to capture the elegance that went into the Memorial’s design, as can be noted
from the accompanying photograph. I have added more of his Louverval pictures in
as a small album at the end of this Journal.
Faces Remembered
With news of the recent rediscovery of the Town Hall scrapbook, one wonders what
other items are tucked away forgotten, ignored, their relevance not understood.
About five weeks ago, contact was made via the website regarding Charles Izdebski.
In subsequent exchanges reference was made to his having appeared in a pre-war
set of cigarette cards featuring Jersey Footballers. Bells rang and whistles blew, and
thanks to the help of Barry Le Breton at the JEP, I establish contact with the
secretary of the Jersey Football Combination, a Mr John Treleven, who very kindly
provided the images on the following two pages only today!
26
27
28
These seven players (Jimmy Scoone appears twice), are all in the Jersey Roll of
Honour while Joe Whitworth is also on Guernsey’s.
We will briefly return to Charles as his
family background is fascinating.
As one might suspect, the surname of
Izdebski in a Jersey Roll of Honour for
the Great War is a little unusual to say
the least, however, its presence reminds
us of a little known piece of 19th Century
history, and for that we can thank
Professor Brian Robinson, a greatnephew of Charles Victor Izdebski, for
bringing it to our attention.
Charles’ grandfather was a Polish
nobleman, also called Charles, who with
his older brother Teofil (Theophile) were
involved in the Officers’ Uprising of 1831
against the Russian Crown. The
Uprising was unsuccessful and like
many other noble families, the Izdebski
family had their lands confiscated and
they fled the country. Many would settle
in London and Paris, but a smaller
number, who were more radical in their
politics, would move onto Jersey.
These would include Zeno Swietolawski who would employ Teofil in his printing
works, publishing radical literature for other political refugees that had found a home,
albeit temporary, in Jersey. Teofil would die from consumption in May 1854, and he
was buried at Macpela Cemetery in Jersey’s parish of St John, with a group of
mourners in attendance that included Zeno and Victor Hugo!
Grandfather Charles would later take up arms to fight the Russians in the Crimea,
marry in Jersey, and be the father of four sons. One of them, Vladislav Marcel, was
Charles Victor’s father, settling in Scotland before moving onto South Africa. It was
in South Africa were Charles Victor was born in 1887, and he would be in Kimberley
throughout the period of the siege until it was lifted in February 1900. From South
Africa, his father would retire to Newton Abbot. Some period after that, Charles was
in Jersey and joined the Militia (possibly in July or August 1903 when he had
reached the age of 16), where he spent 10 years. However, these dates cannot be
accurately determined and he is not listed in the Jersey Militia Rolls of April 1913. It
can be seen from his service records at the National Archive of Australia he was in
Queensland in 1916, from where he would enlist, and it can be seen that his military
service was comparatively brief, being killed to the south of Arras and buried at
Peronne. He is also commemorated on the Memorial at Newton Abbot.
I have also found that the cards are interesting for another reason and that is that
one of the sets is for the cigarettes sold by Simonets Ltd. Two Simonets – Kenneth
William and Harold Keith – also appear in the Roll of Honour, and it is likely that they
were related to the firm’s owner.
29
2nd Lieutenant Frank Reginald Wheway
of the RGA is also shown among the
cards, and he is also commemorated in
Jersey footballing circles with the
Wheway Cup.
As well as featuring on a cigarette card,
we have also recently received a couple
of photographs (see left) of Arty or
Arthur Male. As 7/4174 Rifleman Male A,
he was a member of the Jersey
Contingent who would lose his life at the
battle for Ginchy on 9th September,
1916.
It turns out that John Treleven is related
to the Cudlipp family, and that included
Herbert Henry who we record as having
died on the 31st May, 1919, and for
whom we still have an outstanding
investigation since there is no reference
to him, either in the CWGC or SDGW.
John advises that the actual date was 4th
June, 1919, and the cause of death was
pleurisy, resulting from being gassed.
Herbert Henry Cudlipp is also buried at Macpela cemetery, and I’ll be getting in
touch with the CWGC in the near future to see what documentary evidence would be
required to make a case for CWGC inclusion. This could be complicated as I could
not find any service records for him at Kew.
Book Reviews
We Will Not Fight!
By Will Ellsworth-Jones, London, 2007, Aurum
Press. Price £18.99. 296 pages. Hardback.
Review by Liz Walton
The problem of conscientious objection did not arise
in Guernsey as the local Conscription Law made no
provision for it. In England however the right to
object on grounds of conscience was written into the
1916 Conscription Act. However the terms were
never defined and it was left to those implementing
the Act to deal with it on a case-by-case basis. This
book describes some of the problems that arose
from this.
Published in 2007, the book is subtitled “The Untold Story of World War One’s
Conscientious Objectors”. Its central theme is the story of the four Brocklesby
brothers from Conisbrough in South Yorkshire. Their father was a Methodist Lay
preacher, a magistrate and owner of a successful local shop. When war broke out
he was elected chairman of Conisbrough’s War Fund Committee and his wife was
30
on the Ladies’ Committee for Soldiers’ Relief. The eldest son, George worked as a
Recruiting Officer as he was medically unfit for active service, and his father, as a
JP, was able to swear in the men that he recruited. His brother Harold gained a
commission with the 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment and went to France
early in the war, to be followed soon after by Phil who had joined the 9th Battalion,
York and Lancaster Regiment. Bert, the fourth brother, also ended up in France but
as a conscientious objector.
He had been shipped there in a group of 34 “Conchies” who were eventually courtmartialled for disobedience. They had refused to join the army in the early days of
conscription so were singled out as an example to others who might be tempted to
follow the same route.
The author states that the book is the story of Bert and his fellow objectors who:
“…were prepared to die for their principles rather than kill for their country…It is the
story too of the price these men and their families had to pay when they were forced
to balance conscience against duty.”
The latter statement seems to be at the heart of the book, as Bert Brocklesby and
his fellow objectors refused various offers of ways round the Conscription Act,
instead making it a matter of conscience not to do anything that would serve the war
effort in any way, including refusing to peel potatoes for those who would be going
on active service. It is a story of people with extremist beliefs but it is told in a
balanced fashion, with transcripts of newspaper reports of the court cases showing
how high feelings ran at the time as a means of explaining the drastic action taken
against this group of “Conchies”.
The book is lively and well researched, and includes extracts from personal diaries
and letters, interviews with descendants of the Brocklesby family, reports of
interviews with WWI conscientious objectors, and official reports of courts martial
and other proceedings. At nearly 300 pages it is quite a lengthy book but it makes
fascinating reading. Whether you agree with Bert Brocklesby’s principles or not, this
story of a group of men who held unpopular beliefs and were prepared to stand by
those beliefs in the face of prison sentences and threats of execution is a powerful
one.
Statistics of the Military Effort of the British
Empire During the Great War 1914-1920
Review by Barrie Bertram
This is a monumental work of immense bureaucracy
that must surely go a long way towards dispelling the
phrase “That there are lies, damned lies and
statistics”!
‘Statistics’ was originally published by the War Office in 1922, and consists of 880
pages of almost every piece of information that is needed to know what was involved
in conducting a war of such magnitude. It informs the reader of the number of
prisoners taken by particular periods, sometimes weekly, by theatre of war, and
details of their repatriation. Mules, horses, guns, ammunition produced and
expended, rations, aircraft production are all detailed. Unsurprisingly, there is a
31
comprehensive analysis of discipline covering executions and courts martial, and
also of the casualty rates. There is a Table that tells us that the establishment for the
Militia was 5742 Officers and Men at the 1st August, 1914, but it is a summary of
more detailed Tables later on that highlights that Jersey and Guernsey’s figures are
combined with those for Bermuda and Malta.
The requirement for its production was established by David Lloyd George, while
Secretary of State for War, and the figures from October, 1916 onwards are more
precise while those before which tend to be more empiric. Allowing for that, it is clear
that a lot of sharp pencils were used up, and one wonders if today’s Ministry of
Defence could assemble material to the same volume and quality just using
computers, and without spin!
It is very definitely not a book that can be read from cover to cover with a mug of
cocoa by one’s bedside, and I cannot pretend to have done anything other than dip
into it to look at this table or look at that report so far. However, I regard it as an
important ‘tool’ for any serious research into the Great War beyond our localised
interest in the Channel Islands. However, at the same time, some thought needs to
be given to its purchase. My soft cover copy, via the ‘Abebooks’ website and the
Naval and Military Press, was priced at just under £60 including P&P, while the hard
cover version is retailing at just over £80 via ‘Amazon’. Perhaps the local Libraries
need to be encouraged to have it in their Reference areas?
L'Ouest dans la Grande Guerre
Un hors-série exceptionnel!
Spending the first fortnight of this month in Normandy, I
was under strict orders to keep away from matters Great
War, however, between you and me I reverted to type
once or twice. I cannot stay away from the Maisons de
la Presse, and by chance, spotted this item.
First, it is not strictly a book in the normal sense, rather it
is a one off magazine as the hors-série exceptionnel
blurb implies. It has been produced by the Ouest-France
newspaper group, whose headquarters are in Rennes.
Very well illustrated and colourful, it looks at the contribution made by the regions of
Brittany and Normandy during the Great War. Structured year by year, it is a series
of articles relating to the particular year, varying between 600 and 800 words in
length, rather than a continuous chapter of much greater length. For those readers
with comparatively little French, the articles would be of suitable length for a reading
at a time, somewhat like “bite and hold” tactics! The material is based on the
recollections, diaries and souvenirs of some 2000 families throughout the two
regions. There are some 128 pages of a size 10-15% larger than A4, and the price is
a staggeringly low 6 Euros (c. £4.80) and even discounting the need to read it with a
dictionary by one’s side, it is well worth buying.
The family roots of many Channel Islanders can be traced back to these two
regions, and one wonders on seeing a group photograph whether great-uncle Pierre
Marie is among that Group. It is possible that someone might recognise their
relative.
32
I have, so far, just scanned through this book to see what references there might be
to Jersey and Guernsey, and so far have only spotted one article which looks at
naval forces in 1917, that makes a brief reference to Jersey. It implies that the port
was regularly used by French warships similar to the one shown below in
Dunkerque. That would not be unexpected given the Island’s proximity to France.
But, in these circumstances, would there have been a more formal basing policy that
was akin to the French seaplane base at St Peter Port?
Tucked in the back of the book are a number of website references that deal with
research into French casualties and military histories. Hopefully, France’s equivalent
of British War Diaries can be found on line though I’ve briefly looked but with no luck
so far. Do try to get a copy, if you can, although if you order it via the Ouest-France
you can add at least 8.50 Euros for the postage.
A Foreign Field
by Ben Macintyre
Review by Max Harrison
I must admit that I’m not a great book
reader, particularly fiction, so when a friend
bought me this book I cannot claim to have
been too enthused! However the cover
picture and use of one of my favourite First
World War poems, “The Soldier” by Rupert
Brooke in the title, aroused my curiosity. To
cut a long story short – I literally couldn’t put
it down!
To précis the story, without spoiling it for others, this true story covers a period in
1914 when due to the rapid movement of the war, four “Tommies” are trapped
behind enemy lines and are hidden and looked after by the villagers of the small
town of Villeret, for the next two years. A sensitive love affair develops between the
main character and the daughter of the family looking after him, but subsequently
he, along with his three comrades, is betrayed to the Germans and they are shot as
33
spies in 1916 in the nearby village of Le Catelet. Whilst in the area, in August this
year, (in search of the RGLI at Cambrai) I took the opportunity of going to the two
villages and to my delight was rewarded with evidence of the story. I can thoroughly
recommend this book as one of the little known stories of the First World War.
The graves of the Four Tommies at Le Catelet, the execution spot,
and the Memorial plaque (Ed: Though it looks like there are a few surname errors?)
34
Web Site Workings
By Roger Frisby
Work continues on the Rolls of Honour with a few new names recently added. They
will never be complete and, of course, we will never know if they are! Scanning
through contemporary newspapers is a long job but it still brings forth nuggets.
Whilst we have an online Jersey Roll of Service, no comprehensive list exists for
Guernsey – as yet! Of course we have a really good nucleus based on research by
Eddie Parks but this covers men in army service only. We have received an offer to
help with a Roll and hope that work may start fairly soon.
The recent JEP article about the rediscovered St Helier parish commemoration
scrapbook caused a surge of interest as can be seen in the table:
354 hits were recorded during that week
and 233 the following week. Several
This Week
10/26/08 - 10/29/08 104 people made contact with us through the
Last Week
10/19/08 - 10/25/08 223 site and were either able to add
information or asked us to help them with
2 Weeks Ago 10/12/08 - 10/18/08 354 their family research. A number of group
members have willingly responded to this.
3 Weeks Ago 10/05/08 - 10/11/08 122
It underlines the importance of adding our
4 Weeks Ago 09/28/08 - 10/04/08 137 website url to letters written and to articles
published. Thanks in large part to Peter,
5 Weeks Ago 09/21/08 - 09/27/08 151 Howard, Ian and Ned, Jersey’s 90th
6 Weeks Ago 09/14/08 - 09/20/08 108 Anniversary commemoration programme
has begun. We can expect photographs
and articles to start appearing soon to reflect the events taking. I’m heading off to
Jersey carrying a camera and notebook. Whilst there I will try to photograph the
remaining grave markers needed for the Jersey Roll of Honour.
Week
Dates
Hits
We discovered a problem with our site contact forms a few weeks ago. They weren’t
being forwarded to the relevant group members. It turned out that our service
provider has increased their security measures to reduce spam emails. A re-design
of the forms has fixed the problem but we may have lost information submitted by
members of the public submitted in the preceding weeks.
Membership News
We’ve had a welcome number of people seeking to become Group members since
the last Journal – eight in fact. So I would like to say hello to Tony Morrissey, Gill
Morris, Fran Torode, Hilary Springate, Yolande Martin, Elaine Hanning, Jon Lloyd
and Howard Baker
Out and About
At this time of the year, it seems that few trips are being made. But do let the Group
now of any being planned for 2009 via this article. For my own part, I took a day trip
to Kew on 28th October, and have the Coutances Colloque to contend with from 6th
to 11th November. These are referred to elsewhere. Further ahead, I’m staying on
the Somme for a fortnight 21st March to 4th April, 2009.
35
Odds and Ends
Administration: Please keep me informed if you have changed your E-Mail address
and other contact details.
Philately Matters: I had mentioned in Journal 20 that the British Post Office would
be putting out a stamp to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice in
November, while in the last Journal I said:
“Unfortunately, as with the previous issues in 2006 and 2007, it will only appear as
part of the miniature sheet above and what is known as a generic sheet. It will not
appear over the counter as an “everyday use” stamp.”
It seems that there is someone in
the British Post Office that reads
our Journal, since they will be
issuing the three years stamps
for “everyday use” on the same
date, 6th November, 2008 as the
miniature
sheet
previously
illustrated! They will be available
in se-tenant strips as shown.
The Isle of Man Philatelic “Lest We Forget” issue appeared on 1st October, and the
set is illustrated below.
New Zealand is also issuing a set of six stamps, but the illustration I saw was too
small and awkward to use here unfortunately. Meanwhile I think that I’ve said all that
is possible regarding the Jersey and the Guernsey Postal Authorities inability to do
likewise! Lest We Forget!
The Coutances Colloque: As the French would say, “J’ai le trac”* at present, very
much so, as the fateful day approaches to deliver the 30 minute presentation on the
CI and the GW at Coutances over next weekend (8th and 9th November).
36
I have to express my heartfelt thanks to Steve Bailey and Liz Walton who have both
given me a great deal of help. Steve looked at the English version to ensure that I
“closed loops” and did not make too many assumptions that the audience had some
prior knowledge, and in providing some material support. Liz gave a considerable
amount of help in stylising the presentation, closing it and radically helping to clean
up my first pass at the French translation with some excellent “bon mots”!
Tidying up the Power-point presentation is next on the agenda in time to catch the
overnight Portsmouth-Caen ferry on 6th November.
* “J’ai le trac” is a French idiom that means “I’ve butterflies in my stomach”.
The Jersey Contingent Book: Ian Ronayne is in the stages of finalising his book
and a few of us will shortly be seeing the final draft. His second hoped-for publisher,
Pen and Sword Books, has unfortunately not shown any interest in publishing it.
That said, Ian advises that the History Press have shown interest and are now
looking at a resume. Hopefully, they will pick up on his work.
A Lancaster Walk About: As part of a “Lancaster Unlocked” weekend in late
September, the King’s Own Museum Curator, Peter Donnelly, organised a look at
various parts of the City that had a military link. One particular aspect “bombed”,
namely the fact that Lancaster Priory Church was shut the Sunday afternoon that the
walk (Yes, as it is every week!) was planned for, but it was interesting to see various
locations and buildings in a new light. Lancaster’s military history goes back to
Roman times when they built a camp to guard the crossing over the River Lune, but
with the magnificent constructions such as Fort Regent, Castle Cornet, Elizabeth
Castle and the like, the Channel Islands can more than match Lancaster’s military
history. But, sometimes the mundane might be as interesting as the magnificent, and
maybe there is a case for ensuring that the former are recognised. Speaking to
Howard about Jersey’s programme, there must be an argument for Great War trails
to be developed.
Service with US Forces: Glancing through a US University Library website, I found
an interesting history of the 105th US Engineer Regiment that was part of the 30th US
Division. They like the many other Divisions that crossed the Atlantic were initially
equipped and trained by French and British Empire Forces, and in the case of the
30th, they got on well with the Australians. However, the history of 105th listed a
number of British officers and men that were temporarily attached to them, including
a Pte HP Quenault. It would be interesting to know if this was Harold Philip from the
Labour Corps (190825) listed in Jersey’s RoD.
Enfin
In closing this Journal, I’d just like to reiterate my thanks to the contributors and hope
that everyone finds something that is of interest. Even if you think that you haven’t
the detail to support three or four pages, just a few lines might lead to additional data
turning up from fellow Group members. So do please keep material coming in for
articles, no matter what size.
Finally, I return to the Armistice anniversary events in Jersey that are being put on
over the next few weeks. I’m sorry if I run the risk of being repetitive, but please try
to support them as much as you are able, as it is clear that many people are putting
37
a great deal effort into them. The Trench appears to have drawn many positive
comments, and I am sure that other events will do likewise. For those who are able
to attend, it would be of considerable interest to the others to read and see
something about what went on, so photographs and articles will be greatly
appreciated, along with any material that can be “hoovered up”! However, there is
one area that I am concerned that we should watch for. That is the need to see that
the momentum in Jersey that has been developed is now sustained. Clearly it will be
not so easy in the next few years to have the same focus, as the anniversaries will
not have the same comfortable ring about them when they are the 91st, 92nd or 93rd!
The next numerological anniversary will be for the outbreak of war in 2014.
Regards
Barrie H Bertram
31st October, 2008
Journal Issue Dates For 2008
The final Issue targets are as shown below. I’ll produce a schedule for 2009 in the
next Journal, but at this stage, it is very likely that February’s Journal 24 should be
out on the same date as Issue 18 below.
Issue
18
19
20
21
22
23
Month
February 2008
April 2008
June 2008
August 2008
October 2008
December 2008
Articles To BB
10th
7th
7th
10th
27th
10th
38
Posted Web/Mail
15th
10th
10th
15th
31st
15th
For The Fallen
Laurence Binyon (1869 – 1943)
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her
children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were
young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds
uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow
old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years
condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. We will remember them.
39
They mingle not with their laughing comrades
again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes
profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they
are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are
dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our
darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
With thanks to Max Harrison for the use of the photographs above.
40